How do I revoke summons for nonpayment of council tax?

coke125

Is there anything I can do to make the council drop their summons for non-payment of council tax? First you think it's ridiculous as council tax charges are waived 100% for full-time students. I have called them to reason about it and they insist we (me and 2 other housemates who finished in September 2011) pay £70 as they have sent us reminders to the old address where we no longer live! They are saying we should have contacted them to close the account when we move out, but we did not think about the tax as we never had to worry about it since we are still students (we did close the rest e.g water/electricity/sky accounts)

I have asked my agent to prepare a proof of end of tenancy so am still waiting for their reply or my housemates and I have to cough out the £700+ council tax. I only came to know about the summons when the new tenants told me about it.

Red_dog_Sam

Tell them in writing\an email the date you moved out and the date the tenancy ended. The Council must then change their records and end your liability from the right date. Assuming you were all FT students until the day you left you will be exempt from charge and incur no liability after you left. If your tenancy ran longer than your occupancy you will be liable up to the end of the tenancy but student exemption can still apply and even if student status had come to end, an empty exemption or discount may apply in that gap.
Ask the Council to confirm they have made the change, withdrawn the summons and cancelled the costs - preferably before the hearing date. Based on what you've said you have nothing to pay and as soon as the Council have the right information they should act to correct their records. You shouldn't have to wait for the agents letter either although that will clearly prove your case.
If the hearing date is already passed and they have a liability order you should also call them again and ask them to "hold" any further recovery action whilst this is resolved - you don't want an attachment to earnings or bailiffs turning up unexpectedly.